Living Sustainably

See original article here: Kunara One Magazine Summer 20/21

As life gets busy, sometimes it’s easier to reach for the quick and easy options. With a bit of forward planning, little changes start to make a big impact, not only to your household waste but the planet. As a passionate war on waste advocate, I have been living a sustainable lifestyle for many years.

Look to minimise waste

The kitchen is a great place to start, swapping out any plastic or single use cloths for biodegradable options such as bamboo brushes and scourers. Update your washcloths to reusable options and capture rinsing water to water your plants.

Minimise food waste by utilizing a compost bin, opt for less packaged goods and freeze any leftovers for another meal or incredible sauces and gravies. Challenge yourself to remove clingwrap from the house and place leftovers in glass containers to be reused time and time again.

In your bathroom, it’s easy to swap out a whole lot of plastic. Consider wooden toothbrushes and tooth powders and seek out multi-purpose top-t-toe body butters that act as exfoliators, healers and moisturisers.

You can also minimise plastic packaging waste by purchasing shampoo body bars or soap bars that are packaging free. 2-in-1 hair treatments are also great at reducing the number of products needed in your home. Ensure ingredients are clean as well – to not only protect your body’s largest organ (your skin) but that are better for our waterways and oceans.

Buy bulk

Instead of having a multitude of cleaning products for each room – look for bulk ‘multi-use’ products that can wash dishes, hands, floors, launder and even wash your pet. I clean with bi-carb and white vinegar, as well as using chalk and lemon on stains.

Shop local

Whether it’s purchasing fruit and veg from your local farmer (or store that supports them) or choosing local suppliers – this is a more sustainable way for us all to live. Minimising food miles, looking after local community and limiting packaging that comes with transporting goods. It’s even simpler to reduce household waste and every small change can make a difference.